2026 Ford Explorer vs 2026 Chevrolet Traverse: Which 3-Row SUV Wins?
The 2026 Ford Explorer gets 29 MPG highway, besting the Chevrolet Traverse's 26 MPG highway figure. The Explorer also adds a 13.2-inch Google-based touchscreen and BlueCruise hands-free driving assist as available features. This page breaks down every key difference so you can compare both SUVs and check Explorer inventory at Koons Ford.
2026 Ford Explorer trims and features
The Short Answer
The 2026 Ford Explorer is the better choice for buyers who prioritize highway fuel economy, towing readiness, and a sportier trim lineup, including the ST and Tremor. The 2026 Chevrolet Traverse wins on raw cargo volume, standard horsepower, and an 8-passenger seating option on the LT trim. If you haul a lot of gear and want the largest cargo hold in the segment, the Traverse has a measurable edge. If you want a more efficient commuter with hands-free highway driving and a broader trim range, the Explorer is the stronger pick.
Specs Head-to-Head
Fuel economy figures in this table reflect the base 2.3L EcoBoost I-4 engine. Buyers considering the ST or Tremor with the 3.0L EcoBoost V6 should refer to the Performance and Powertrain section below for those EPA ratings.
| Specification | 2026 Ford Explorer | 2026 Chevrolet Traverse |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2.3L EcoBoost I-4, base | Turbocharged 2.5L I-4 |
| Horsepower | 300 hp | 328 hp |
| Torque | 310 lb-ft | 326 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 10-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | RWD standard; AWD available | FWD standard; AWD available |
| EPA City MPG | 20 | 20 FWD / 20 AWD |
| EPA Highway MPG | 29 | 26 FWD / 24 AWD |
| EPA Combined MPG | 24 | 23 FWD / 21 AWD |
| Seating | 7 | 7 standard; 8 available on LT |
| Cargo, Behind 3rd Row | 16.3 cu ft | 22.9 cu ft |
| Max Cargo | 85.8 cu ft | 97.6 cu ft |
| Towing | 5,000 lbs | 5,000 lbs |
| Ground Clearance | 8.1 in | 6.77 in, standard trims |
| Length | 198.8 in | 204.5 in |
| Warranty, Basic/Powertrain | 3 yr/36k, 5 yr/60k | 3 yr/36k, 5 yr/60k |
EPA fuel economy ratings for both vehicles
Performance and Powertrain
On paper, the Traverse holds a horsepower and torque advantage: 328 hp and 326 lb-ft versus the Explorer's 300 hp and 310 lb-ft. Both reach those outputs from a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, though the Traverse displaces 2.5 liters to the Explorer's 2.3 liters.
The Explorer counters with a 10-speed automatic transmission versus the Traverse's 8-speed, which contributes to the Explorer's edge in highway fuel economy. The Explorer also offers an available 3.0L EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 on the Tremor and ST trims, and the ST is standard with that V6.
Buyers choosing the 3.0L V6 should note that EPA ratings differ from the base engine: the V6 is rated at 18 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined on RWD models. That is a lower highway figure than the 2.3L base engine's 29 mpg, so buyers prioritizing fuel efficiency should weigh the V6 power gain against the fuel economy trade-off. The Traverse lineup does not offer a V6 option in the verified U.S. specs.
The Explorer's standard RWD architecture, with AWD available on most trims and standard on the Tremor, means the base configuration handles differently than the Traverse's standard front-wheel drive. For buyers in areas with snow or mixed terrain, AWD is available on both, but the Explorer's Tremor trim adds dedicated off-road hardware including all-terrain tires, unique front tow hooks, underbody protection, and auxiliary off-road lights in the grille. The Traverse's Z71 AWD trim is its off-road-oriented option, but the verified specs do not show Hill Descent Control on any FWD-based Traverse trims, only on the Z71.
The Explorer also offers six selectable drive modes, Normal, Eco, Sport, Tow/Haul, Slippery, and Trail or Off-Road, giving drivers a wide range of terrain adaptability across the lineup.
Interior, Space, and Cargo
The Traverse is the roomier vehicle by the numbers. At 204.5 inches long versus the Explorer's 198.8 inches, it translates that extra length into a cargo advantage: 22.9 cu ft behind the third row versus 16.3 cu ft in the Explorer. Max cargo capacity also favors the Traverse at 97.6 cu ft compared to 85.8 cu ft.
Families who regularly collapse the third row to carry sports equipment or oversized items will notice the Traverse's advantage week to week.
The Explorer reclaims ground on configuration variety. The ST and Platinum trims offer PowerFold third-row seats, multicontour front seats with active motion massage, and ventilated front seats. The Tremor adds unique Tremor-badged ActiveX seating with accent stitching. The Platinum brings full leather seating with tri-diamond micro-perforated inserts.
Both SUVs seat seven as standard. The Traverse offers optional 8-passenger seating on the LT trim via a second-row bench, while the Explorer's second row defaults to captain's chairs on most trims with an optional 35/30/35 split-fold bench available on several trims.
Both provide tri-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats across most trims, and rear USB-C ports.
Technology and Safety
The Explorer's 13.2-inch center touchscreen runs Ford's Android-based Digital Experience platform with Google Maps native navigation and Google Assistant built in. The Traverse matches that with a 17.7-inch diagonal touchscreen running Google built-in. Both use Google's ecosystem natively, so neither requires a phone to access navigation or voice commands.
The Explorer pairs that screen with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The Traverse uses an 11-inch Driver Information Center display.
On wireless connectivity, both offer wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Explorer adds a 5G modem standard across all trims. The Traverse offers available in-vehicle Wi-Fi through OnStar.
Hands-free highway driving: the Explorer offers BlueCruise with Automatic Lane Change, available on ST-Line trims and above, and standard on the Platinum. The Traverse offers Super Cruise on the High Country and RS trims via the Enhanced Driving Package, which is standard on those trims.
Ford BlueCruise hands-free driving details
On standard safety, both include Forward Collision Warning with pedestrian detection, Automatic Emergency Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, and Lane Departure/Keeping systems. The Explorer adds Road-Sign Recognition, Driver-Attention Monitor, and Emergency Steering Assist as standard equipment. The Traverse adds a Safety Alert Seat, vibrating seat-bottom hazard warnings, Buckle to Drive, Teen Driver mode, and Forward Cross-Traffic Alert as standard items not found standard on the Explorer.
The Explorer's 360-degree camera with split view is standard on ST-Line and above trims. The Traverse's HD Surround Vision is standard on High Country and above.
Value and Ownership
Both the Explorer and Traverse carry matching warranty structures: 3 years/36,000 miles bumper-to-bumper and 5 years/60,000 miles powertrain. Neither has a meaningful warranty advantage over the other.
The Explorer's fuel economy edge is meaningful over ownership time. At 29 MPG highway versus the Traverse's 26 MPG, FWD, the Explorer returns more miles per gallon on every fill-up for highway-heavy drivers. The AWD penalty is steeper on the Traverse, 24 MPG highway, than on the Explorer, which the verified specs show at 24 combined with no AWD-specific highway figure listed separately.
Standard content comparisons by segment position favor the Explorer on audio quality: the ST-Line comes standard with a B&O 10-speaker sound system, while the Traverse LT ships with a 6-speaker audio system. The Traverse High Country upgrades to a Bose premium system.
The Explorer's Tremor trim is unique in the segment as a purpose-built off-road variant with factory all-terrain tires and auxiliary grille lighting. No direct equivalent exists in the Traverse lineup based on verified specs.
Which One Should You Buy
Buy the 2026 Ford Explorer if you:
- Prioritize highway fuel economy, 29 MPG highway with the 2.3L base engine is best between these two.
- Want hands-free highway driving assist, BlueCruise, at a lower trim entry point.
- Want a performance ST variant or a dedicated off-road Tremor trim.
- Prefer a RWD-standard platform with available high-output V6 power.
- Tow regularly and want six selectable drive modes standard.
Buy the 2026 Chevrolet Traverse if you:
- Need the extra cargo room, 22.9 cu ft behind the third row vs 16.3 cu ft.
- Want to seat 8 passengers in the base LT trim.
- Prefer the largest possible screen, a 17.7-inch diagonal touchscreen.
- Value the Safety Alert Seat, Teen Driver mode, or Buckle to Drive as standard safety features.
- Do most driving in the city where the horsepower edge, 328 hp, matters more than highway MPG.
For families in Annapolis and the surrounding area who cross I-97 or Route 50 regularly, the Explorer's 29 MPG highway figure turns into genuine savings. Shoppers who haul bulky cargo or need that extra third-row seat should look closely at what the Traverse offers.
See the 2026 Explorer Against Its Competition at Koons Ford in Annapolis
Koons Ford serves buyers throughout Annapolis and the greater Maryland area with in-stock 2026 Explorer inventory across Active, ST-Line, Tremor, ST, and Platinum trims. Bring your questions, a trade-in, or a test-drive request, the team is ready to put you in the right three-row SUV for your household.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the 2026 Ford Explorer or the 2026 Chevrolet Traverse get better gas mileage?
The Explorer gets better highway fuel economy with the base 2.3L engine: 29 MPG highway versus the Traverse's 26 MPG highway on FWD models and 24 MPG highway on AWD models. City fuel economy is the same at 20 MPG for both with those base engines. Buyers selecting the Explorer's available 3.0L EcoBoost V6, standard on ST and available on Tremor, will see different figures: that engine is EPA-rated at 18 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined on RWD models, which is below the Traverse's FWD highway rating.
Which has more cargo space, the Explorer or the Traverse?
The Traverse has more cargo space. It offers 22.9 cu ft behind the third row and 97.6 cu ft maximum, compared to the Explorer's 16.3 cu ft behind the third row and 85.8 cu ft maximum.
Does the 2026 Ford Explorer have hands-free driving?
Yes. BlueCruise Hands-Free Highway Driving Assist with Automatic Lane Change is available on ST-Line and above trims, and it comes standard on the Platinum. A 90-day trial is available on the Tremor and ST trims.
Does the 2026 Chevrolet Traverse seat 8 passengers?
The LT trim offers an optional 8-passenger configuration via a second-row bench seat. All other Traverse trims seat 7 passengers.
Which SUV has better off-road capability, the Explorer or the Traverse?
The Explorer offers a purpose-built Tremor 4WD trim with all-terrain tires, auxiliary grille lights, underbody protection, front tow hooks, and Hill Descent Control. The Traverse's Z71 AWD is its off-road-oriented trim, but the verified specs do not show all-terrain tires or Hill Descent Control as standard on any FWD Traverse trims.
Do the Explorer and Traverse have the same warranty?
Yes. Both carry a 3-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.
Can I test drive the 2026 Ford Explorer at Koons Ford in Annapolis?
Yes. Koons Ford in Annapolis carries 2026 Explorer inventory across multiple trims. Use the link on this page to schedule a test drive or browse current stock.